Flying-machine.



P. W. STODDER.

FLYING MACHINE.

APPLIoATIoN FILED JULY 7, 1911.

' Patented Aug. 13, 1912.

WLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH C0" WASHINGNN. C.

l1:'. W. STODDER.

FLYING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 7, 1911.

1,035,396, Patented Aug. 13, 1912.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Qkwmq CDLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH Q0. WASHINONN, D. C.

F. W. STODDER.

FLYING MACHINE.

APPLIUATION FILED JULY 7, 1911.

1,035,396, Patented Aug. 13,1912.

A w 4 SHEETS-SHEET a.

3% I KQMW WLUMBIA PLANOCIIAPM C0.. WASHINGTON. D. C. i

F. W. STODDER.

FLYING MACHINE.

APPLIoArIoN FILED JULY 7, 1911.

1,035,396. PatentedAug.13,1912.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

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244. HUNAU l lbb UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK W. STODDER, 0F WEST SOMERVILLE, MASSACHUSETTS.

FLYING-MACHINE.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK W. S'roDDnR, a citizen of the United States,residing at Vest Somerville, in the county of Suffolk and State ofMassachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inFlying-Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to flying machines and has particular referenceto that type of machines known as heavier than air iying machines.7

An important object of this invention is to provide a novel form of mainplanes or gliding structure and novel means to flex the main planes forincreasing the lifting power of the machine.

A further object of my invention is to provide means to flex both of theplanes to adjust the lifting power of the machine and means forautomatically increasing the flexed condition of one of the main planesand decreasing the flexed condition of the other, to preventthe machinefrom tilting transversely to the line of flight.

A further object of my invention is to so position the propeller that ittends not only to carry the machine along a straight line of flight butalso serves to elevate the machine, the elevating ability of thepropeller being increased by tilting the machine aft.

A further object of this invention is to provide a plane positionedrearwardly of and above the center of rotation of the propeller, andmeans to move the plane for varying the lifting power of the propeller.

A further object of my invention is to provide novel means for causingthe ascent and descent of the machine.

A further object of my invention is to provide a frame-work for a flyingmachine, which is strong, compact and light.

A further object of this invention is to provide a flying machine of theabove mentioned character, which is positive in operation, easy tocontrol, and comparatively simple in construction.

A further object of this invention is to provide a pendant structure forsupporting the operator and automatically flexing the main planes, whichis also constructed to lbe moved by the operator shifting his positionupon the same.

Other objects and advantages of this 1n- Specication of Letters Patent.

Application filed July 7, 1911.

Patented Aug. 13, 1912. Serial No. 637,307.

vention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification and inwhich like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout thesame, Figure 1 is a plan view of the machine. Fig. 2 is a front end viewof the same, the forward horizontal rudder being removed. Fig. 3 is aperspective view of the forward horizontal rudder. Fig. t is a side viewof the entire machine, Fig. 5 is a detailed view showing the manner inwhich the main planes are secured to the frame-work, Fig. 6 is a detailplan view of a portion of the framework, showing the engine attachedthereto. Fig. 7 is an enlarged side view of the propeller, engine, anddriving connecting means between the same, Fig. 8 is a rear end view ofa hand-wheel for controlling the forward and rear rudders. Fig. 9 is adetail elevation of a turn-buckle for connecting the pendant structureand the main planes, and, Fig. 10 is an enlarged plan view of theturn-buckle, the same being shown partly in section.

AIn the drawings wherein is illustrated a preferred embodiment of myinvention, a frame-work for the machine is shown, comprising upperlongitudinal tubes or pipes 1 and lower longitudinal tubes or pipes 2,having horizontal intermediate portions 3,

vat the forward ends of which the pipes 2 are bent upwardly. At theirforward ends the pipes 2 have connection with the forward ends of thepipes 1, a transverse pipe 4 being disposed between the pipes l and 2and attached to the same by bolts 5. At the rear ends of theintermediate horizontal portions 3 the pipes 2 are bent to extend u,pwardy for connection with the rear ends of the pipes l, a reartransverse pipe 6 being disposed between the pipes l and 2 and attachedto the same by bolts 7. At the rear ends of diagonal pipes 9, the pipes8, 9 8 is disposed a transverse pipe 8, and between the transverse pipe8 and the intermediate portions 3 are disposed the rear ends of diagonalpipes 9, the pipes 8, 9 and 2 being all rigidly connected by bolts 10.The diagonal pipes 9 converge forwardly and are bolted in spacedrelation with a transverse pipe 11, as shown at l2 in Fig. 2 and Fig. 5.The transverse pipe 11 is rigidly connected with the forward ends of theintermediate portions 3.

Disposed directly above the transverse pipe 8 is an upper transversepipe 13 bolted with the longit-udinal pipes 1, as shown at 14 andextending laterally beyond the pipes 1 for connection with the free endsof the upwardly extending portions of the pipe 8, such connection beingeffected by bolts 15 which also pass through guide plates 16. Theseguide plates are provided with longitudinal slots 17 and the guideplates are formed upon t-he outer ends of diagonal pipes 18, havingtheir inner ends rigidly connected with the pipes 1 and an intermediatetransverse pipe 19 through the medium of bolts 20. Rigidly connectedwith the transverse pipe 11 at its connection with the pipes 2 is aninverted V-shaped upright 21, more clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 4. Thisupright is disposed in an inclined position wit-h relation to theintermediate portions 3 and is preferably disposed at an angle of about35O from a perpendicular to said intermediate portions 3.

The numeral 22 designates uprights, having their lower ends rigidlyattached to the lower ends of the inverted V-shaped upright 21. Theuprights 22 are inclined a little more than the upright 21 so that theirupper ends are disposed rearwardly of the upright 21. The uprights 22are rigidly connected intermediate their ends with the pipes 1, as

lshown at 23. The numeral 24 designates spaced inner longitudinal pipes,which are disposed upon the pipe 13 and rigidly connected therewith, asshown at 25. The pipes 24 extend outwardly of the inverted V` shapedupright 21 and are rigidly connected with the same. Forwardly of theupright 21 the pipes 24 converge so that their forward ends overlap andare rigidly connected with the transverse pipe 4 by a common bolt 26.

The frame-work is mounted upon wheels 27, which are suitably secured tothe lower horizontal pipes 2.

The gliding structure of the machine com-- prises a pair of oppositelyarranged main planes 28, which are preferably triangular in shape andformed of sheet-metal or any other suitably stili' and flexiblematerial. These planes are disposed so that their reduced ends areinnermost and the planes are curved transversely and their inner endsengage the diagonal rods 9. The forward or cutting edges of the planes28 are rigid and are permanently retained in their curved state by pipesor ribs 29, which are bolted to the upper surfaces of the planes 28 andare curved as shown. The lower ends of the curved pipes 29 are pivotallyconnected with the pipes 9, as shown at 30 in Fig. 5. The numeral 30designates diagonally disposed brace pipes having their Aplanes 28.

outer upper ends connected with the outer ends of the curved pipes 29and their lower ends pivot-ally connected with the pipes 9 by the samebolts 30. rlhe outer longitudinal edges of the planes 28 are retainedrigid by means of pipes or reinforcing ribs 31, which are bolted orotherwise attached to the upper surface of the planes 28.

From the description of the above referred to parts, it is obvious thatthe cutting edge and the longitudinal edge of the plane 28 is rigid andinflexible while the rear diagonal edge 32 of t-he plane and the bodyportion of the plane are flexible.

I provide a pendant structure for supporting the operator andautomatically flexing the main planes 28 to ret-ain the stability of themachine during flight. This pendant structure comprises a platform 33having universal connections at its corners with forward and rear armsor hangers 34 and 35, which diverge or spread apart in an upwarddirection. At their upper ends the forward and rear hangers haveuniversal connections with the pipes 24.

From the description of the above referred to parts, it is obvious thatthe pendant structure is free to move in all directions with relation tothe frame-work and also that owing to the upwardly diverging normalpositions of the hangers 34 and 35, the pendant structure may be movedin any direction by the operator shifting his weight upon the platformin that direction.

The rear hangers 35 are provided intermediate their ends with sockets36, each of which is formed of two detachable co-acting shells 37,bolted or otherwise held together. Each socket 36 is clamped to thehanger 35 by means of a plate 38 and bolts 39.

The numeral 39 designates a turn-buckle having ball ends 40 which arepivotally mounted within the sockets 36. The turnbuckle 39 is providedwith an axial opening having its end portions provided withscrew-threads, to receive screw-threaded end portions 41 of rigidoperating rods 42. These operating rods have universal connection attheir outer ends with rigid rods 43, apertured at their outer ends toreceive bolts 44, operating through the slots 16 and rigidly connectedwith the ribs 31 of the main planes 28.

From the description of the above referred to parts, it is obvious thatby rotat-ing the turn-buckle the rods 42 are simultaneously movedlongitudinally toward or from each other depending upon the direction ofrotation of the turn-buckle. When the rods 42 are both moved outwardlysuch movement is imparted to the rods 43 and hence to the longitudinaledges of the main Owing to the position of the guide plates 16, thelongitudinal edges of the planes 28 will be moved laterally about LtunHLnUNnU l luv t-hree units of length and forwardly or longitudinally ofthe frame-work about two units of length. This movement of the plane 28causes the same to be flexed and hence increases the lifting power ofthe machine,

Thel forward hangers 34 (see Figs. 4 and 8) have universal connectionintermediate their ends with a support 45, which has a boss 46, having ascrew-threaded opening formed therethrough to receive a screw 47. Thisscrew is provided near its rear end with a hand-wheel 48, disposed to bet-urned by the operator on the platform 33. At its rear end the screw 47has universal connection with a rigid rod 48l through the medium of aball and socket joint 49. The rod 48 ext-ends rearwardly and has pivotal.connection with an upstanding bracket 50,

which is rigidly connected with a rear horizontal rudder 51. This rearhorizontal rudder is pivo-tally supported by a transverse shaft 52attached to the upper face of the rudder 51 near and spaced from theforward edge thereof. The shaft 52 has its ends journaled through thepipes 1. At its forward end the screw 47 has universal connection with arigid rod 53 through the medium of a ball and socket joint 54.

The numeral 55 designates a shaft which is journaled through the pipes 1near the forward ends thereof and serves to support the forwardhorizont-al rudder. This forward horizontal rudder is more clearly shownin Fig, 3, wherein the numeral 56 designates lower planes, which aretriangular in shape and taper toward their lower ends These planes arecurved in vertical cross-section. The planes 56 are provided withopenings formed therethrough to receive the shaft 55, whereby thelongitudinal edges of the planes are disposed upon the shaft 55. Theselongitudinal edges are reinforced as shown at 57 and are bolted to theshaft as shown at 58. Disposed between the lower ends of the planes 56is a rigid upright 59, and bolts 60 rigidly connect the planes 56 withthe upright 59. The upright 59 has its upper end disposed betweenupturned portions of planes 61 and is bolted to the same as shown at 62.The planes 61 taper toward their upper ends and have their lower endssuitably attached to the planes 56, as shown. The forward or cuttingedges of the planes 56 and 61 are reinforced respectively, as shown at63 and 64. The rod 53 is pivotally connected with the lower ends of theplanes 56, as shown at 65.

From the construction of the above referred to parts, it is obvious thatthe screw 47 may be rotated for moving the forward and rear horizontalrudders in opposite directions to raise or lower the machine. It is alsoobvious that the fore and aft swing of the framework about t-he pendantstructure will automatically effect the above referred to movement ofthe forward and rear rudders, whereby the stability of the machine ismaintained, with relation to its fore and aft tilting,

The numeral 66 designates two rudders adapted to swing in a horizontalplane to guide the machine in a straight line of flight and to turn itfrom the same when desired. Each of the rudders 66 is mounted upon ashaft. 67 which is vertically disposed and has its ends journaledthrough the pipes 1 and 2. The rudders 66 are moved together for whichreason they are connected near corresponding ends by cables 68 or thelike. The forward cable 68 has rigid connection with an arm 69 securedto a cable 70, which is trained about four pulleys 71, suitably mountedupon the upper pipes 1. The forward ends of this cable are oppositelywound about a drum 72 having a handavheel portion 73. This drum isdisposed to be turned by the operator on the platform and is supportedupon a bracket 74, which is fixed upon the frame-work.

The numeral 75 designates an explosive engine of any well known orpreferred type, provided with brackets 76 which engage and are rigidlyconnected with the pipes 24. The crank-shaft of the engine is rigidlyconnected with a bevel gear 77, engaging a bevel gear 78 rigidly mountedupon the shaft 79. The shaft 79 carries a bevel gear 80 engaging a bevelgear 81 which is rigidly mounted upon a propeller shaft 82. Thispropeller shaft 82 is journaled through a head 83 formed at the upperend of the upright 21. The shaft 79 is journaled through two bearings84. The shaft 82 carries at its forward end a propeller 85, the bladesof which extend parallel with the upright 21 whereby the propeller isinclined from the perpendicular. By thus inclining the propeller it notonly drives the machine in its longitudinal flight, but will elevate theszme, particularly when the frame is tilted a `t.

A shaft 86 has its ends journaled through the upright-s 22 and isrigidly connected with a triangular shaped plane 87, disposed rearwardlyof the propeller and above its center of rotation. The plane 87 is movedin a vertical plane by a rod 88 having pivotal connection with the planeand having swiveled connection at its lower end with a screw 89operating through a bracket 90 fixed to the framework and carrying ahand-wheel 91 disposed in a position to be easily turned by theoperator. The numeral 92 designates a rigid tube or the like which ispivoted to the head 83 and the ends of the curved ribs or pipes 29 by abolt 92.

In the operation of the machine, the turnbuckle 39 is first rotated, tomove the rods 43 outwardly, which results in flexing the planes 28.These planes are liexed longitudinally of themselves by virtue of thefact that their forward edges are rigid and always retain their givencurvature. When the rods 43 are moved outwardly (see Fig. 1) the bolts44 move laterally and forwardly owing to the direction of the slots 16,carrying with them the outer longitudinal edges of the planes 28. I havefound that the best results are obtained by moving the bolt 44 threeunits of lengt-h laterally and two units forwardly, although I do notwish to solely restrict myself to this construction. The rear diagonaledges of the planes 28 are thus straightened out and lowered withrelation to the forward rigid curved edges of the same, whereby theplanes are curved or flexed longitudinally. The planes 28 having beenproperly flexed so that they possess the desired lifting power for theload to be carried, the engine is started to set. the propeller inrotation. The propeller being disposed at an incline from theperpendicular, it not only moves the machine longitudinally but tends toelevate the same. Assuming the machine to be in flight, the stability ofthe same with respect to lateral tilts is automatically controlled bythe pendant structure. If the machine should tilt to the right, thependantstructure remaining always in its vertical position, will holdthe rods 48 against movement, whereby the right plane 28 will be furtherflexed to increase its lifting power while the left plane 28 will losesome of its liexing and accordingly decrease in lifting power. If themachine should tilt to the left just the reverse of this operation willtake place. rIhe lifting power of the propeller may be increased byswinging the plane 87 downwardly, which may be effected by propermanipulation of the hand-wheel 91. The machine may be made to tilt foreand aft for descending or rising by proper manipulation of thehand-wheel 48, which together with its associated members moves theforward and rear horizontal rudders. The pendant structure is free toremain perpendicular while the frame-work of the machine tiltslongitudinally or fore and aft. By means of the connections between theforward and rear horizontal rudders and the pendant structure, suchrudders are automatically operated by the pendant struct-ure. When themachine tilts longitudinally to lower its forward end or nose, thependant structure remaining perpendicular will act through theconnecting means to swing the forward rudder upwardly to raise that endof the machine while the same will swing the rear rudder downwardly tolower the rear end. When the machine tilts longitudinally so that itsrear end is lowered a reverse operation will take place. rIhe operatormay swing the pendant structure laterally or fore and aft by shiftinghis weight to the side of the platform to which it is desired to havethe same move. In this manner he may effect the flexing of the mainplanes and may also operate the forward and rear rudders.

I wish it understood that the form of my invention herewith shown anddescribed is to be taken as a preferred example of the same and thatcertain changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may beresorted to without departing from the spiritof the invention or thescope of the subjoined claims.

I-Iaving thus described my invention, I claim 1. In a flying machine ofthe character described, a frame-work, a plane connected therewith andhaving its forward end formed rigid, a plate connected with theframe-work and provided with a slot, a bolt operating in the slot andconnected with the outer edge of the plane, a pendant structure, andmeans connecting said pendant structure and bolt. 2. In a flying machineo-f the character described, a frame-work, a plane connected therewithand having its forward edge formed rigid, a pendant structure connectedwith the frame-work, extensible connecting means between the pendantstructure and the outer portion of the plane, and means to guide saidextensible connecting means during its movement, whereby said plane issimultaneously moved forwardly and laterally.

3. In a flying machine of the character described, a frame-work,oppositely arranged main planes having their inner ends tapered andconnected with the frame-work, said main planes having their forwardedges curved longitudinally and formed rigid, means to move the outeredges of the planes to cause the same to be flexed, a propellerconnected with the frame-work and disposed above the main planes, aplane arranged near the propeller and rearwardly thereof, and means toflex the last named plane.

4. In a flying machine of the character described, a frame-work, mainplanes connected therewith and having their forward edges formed rigidand curved longitudinally, a pendant structure having universalconnection with the frame-work, a turnlbuckle having universalconnections with the pendant structure, and connecting means between theturn-buckle and the main planes.

5. In a flying machine of the character described, a frame-workcomprising plates provided with slots, a gliding structure connectedwith the frame-work and formed in two sections, bolts connected with thesectially horizontally, including automatic tions and disposed foroperation within the stabilizing means. 3 0

slots, a pendant structure connected with the frame-work, and connectingmeans between t-he pendant structure and said bolts.

6. In a flying machine of the character described, a frame-work, a planemovably mounted upon said framework, a plate connected with theframework and provided with a slot, a bolt operating in the slot andconnected with the plane, and means to move the bolt, including anautomat-ic stabilizing device.

7. In a flying machine of the character described, a framework, a planepivotally connected therewith to swing horizontally, an elementconnected with the plane, a device connected with the framework topositively guide the element in its movement, and a pendant structure tomove the element.

8. In a flying machine of the character described, a centrally arrangedframework, planes disposed upon opposite sides of the framework andhaving their forward cutting edges curved longitudinally and piv. otallyconnected with said framework, and means to bodily swing said planessubstan- 9. In a flying machine of the character described, a framework,a main plane, a curved rod forming the forward cut-ting edge of theplane, a diagonal rod connected with the ends of the rst named rod,means pivotally connecting corresponding ends of said rods with theframework, and means to swing said main plane.

l0. In a flying machine of the character described, a central framework,main planes disposed upon opposite sides thereof, said main planes beinginclined with respect to the course of flightand connected with thelower portion of said frame-work and extending above the same, elementsattached to said main plane to move the same, means to guide saidelements in their movement, a pendant structure having connections withsaid elements, and propelling means connected with the frame-work.

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

FRANK W. STODDER. Witnesses HENRY W. TUGK, PLUMMER C. SPRING.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C.

